Discuss park gauge trains and large scale miniature railways having track gauges from 8" to 24" gauge and designed at scales of 2" to the foot or greater - whether modeled for personal use, or purpose built for amusement park operation or private railroading.

I received an unusual inquiry at work today, maybe this gang can help out. Does anyone know of any standards for worn wheel profiles in the park gauges? Flange width, flange height, tread worn hollow? Any standards for track cross level or warp over a certain distance? If anyone knows of anything from Chance or MT Co. or a magazine article, a reference would be appreciated

I don't know of any standards for park gauge trains per se. That's not to say none exist - only that I cant recall recent discussion directly associated with flange or rail wear standards.

I've sent a couple of emails to a couple of park gauge experts, asking them about your inquiry. Hopefully one or more can comment here.

So, independent of that, three resources that might be useful for followup are:

IAAPA - the amusement and attractions industry association,
Tourist Railway and Museum Association, now rebranded as Heritage Rail, or
State amusement certification agency for whatever state you are interested in.

Back in the 1920's the amusement park industry standardized all park train rides on 24" gauge, and published equipment and maintenance standards. This was an effort to standardize the many smaller gauges, to establish cheaper, more cost effective purchasing of railroad parts and rail - particularly wheels and couplers - costly wear and tear items for park gauge operators. Also to establish best practices for park gauge train maintenance and operations. 24" ga railways were the upper limit gauge exempt from the old United States Railway Administration (USRA) common carrier rail regulations. Anyway, IAAPA might be the keeper of any current equipment and trackage standard surviving from the era.

The Heritage Rail web site mentions a publication regarding recommended practices for tourist railroad operations. There may be something useful in this publication that you can use.

Also, most states have some annual inspection and certification authority for amusement rides. Often train rides are included in these departments Responsibility. In Hawaii and Alaska, The state
Department of Labor was the certifying agency.

Further resources might be the Cal State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, Ca, or any other of the national or State railroad museums.

If I hear anything from the people I emailed, will forward to you for review.

Rather than telling the inquirer "sorry, we don't do under 24" gauge", I was trying to steer them in a positive direction. I have an extensive magazine collection; including every Model Engineer, Live Steam, Modeltec, etc.; but I only remember construction standards, not condemning standards.

received a reply from a very knowledgeable source. He reports not an inspection standard, but a common rule of thumb - "when the rail head wears to the point that a (serviceable) wheel flange starts hitting the fishplates or bolts holding the rail ends together, it's time to replace the rail."

There is an IBLS wheel and track standard available online, which has a bunch of specs they have created for many scales. I'm following the 15" specs on my 12" railroad, figure the extra flange can't hurt and will help keep things on the tracks as long as I don't get too tight with my radius's.